Weiss rejoins Lakers lineup
Rookie standout defender Matt Gilray won’t be with Lakers for Mann Cup series
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers defence will have a slightly different look for the Mann Cup.
Lakers GM Paul Day said on Wednesday standout rookie defender Matt Gilray will not be heading west with the club as he’s not been given permission by his Bucknell University team to leave school.
On the flip side, Day said three defenders who missed the MSL final, or more significant time than that, have been cleared to return to action. Dylan Evans, Mark Farthing and Nick Weiss will all head west with the Lakers.
Day also confirmed Adam Jones has been given permission from the school he teaches at to accompany the Lakers for the full Mann Cup series against the New Westminster Salmonbellies which kicks off Friday at Queen’s Park Arena at 7:30 p.m. PST (10:30 p.m. EST).
“It’s unfortunate because Matt’s had a great summer but there is not much you can do,” Day said.
“We’re going to get Nick Weiss back and Nick is a real good player, too. Matt’s transition will have to be picked up as a group. Mark Farthing was cleared before the Six Nations series started, too, so we’ve got some guys who can jump in. Dylan Evans is coming back from his ankle injury from the Brooklin series.”
Weiss suffered a shoulder injury in a golf cart accident two games into the Lakers season. There was fear he’d torn his labrum or rotator cuff and surgery might be necessary but tests revealed no tears. What he was dealing with was a deep bone bruise. Farthing missed the 2017 and 2016 seasons after knee surgery last year. Day said Evans is the most likely candidate to jump into Gilray’s spot with Weiss and Farthing to be broken in slowly as needed.
“The nice thing is Farthing has warmed up and practiced all summer long. Physically, he’s ready,” Day said.
The team will take 26 players west including senior B players Jeff Swift, Brett Coons and Ryan Masters as reserves. Gilray is the only player to play in the playoffs not making the trek.
Weiss thought at one point his season was done.
“I’m super-excited to be going out and to be able to play with this team,” Weiss said. “I kept maintaining hope eventually I might have a bit of good luck and be able to return. For a bit it was looking pretty dark I wouldn’t be able to play.”
He hopes his playoff experience lands him a spot in the lineup.
“I’ve been in a Mann Cup before and I’ve been in a Champions Cup in the NLL so I’ve been exposed to the top lacrosse that can be played. I know what to expect and I know what’s coming at me. It’s up to me to get my head into it right away and get up to speed,’ he said. “It’s horrible that Matty can’t go. He’s been such a big part of this team and he’s had a phenomenal year.”
NOTES: All games will be available on pay-per-view webcast for $9.99 per game through WLA TV which can be accessed on the Western Lacrosse Association website at www.wlalacrosse. com .... Lakers head coach Mike Hasen, GM Paul Day and captain Robert Hope depart early for B.C. to participate in a luncheon and press conference in New Westminster Thursday at noon. The rest of the team will depart from the Memorial Centre by bus 7:30 a.m. Thursday for Pearson International Airport .... The Lakers will stay in Langley, B.C., a 20-minute drive from New Westminster. Day said they’ll stay in the same hotel as Lakers fans within walking distance of plenty of restaurants and shopping.